The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-02
THE OLD KICKER.
Peck's Sun.

DuE llIR pdCkaSc Ol lfCkeLs, tO SHOW the driver and passengers that he didn't propose to be caught again without nickle or ticket, and have to get off the car. "My wife has done nothing but grumble about the fog that has prevailed the last few days, until got enough this morning, and settled it right there. She will never complain of fog again."
 "What did you do, kill her." asked the insurance man.
 "llc probably knocked her in the head with an axe, and threw the body into the coal bin," said the board of trade man, while the old kicker got blue in the face trying to speak and explain.
 "No. he killed her with a revolver" said the floor walker, who sat oppo- site. II heard shot fired at seven o'clock this morning, and something fell with dull thud, and I knew it was human body. There is a detect i've on the platform outside, and I am going 10 call him to take charge of the wife-a-cide."
 "B-b-but." said the old kicker as he saw the floor walker step out on the platform and whisper to a man with slouch hat and bad eye
 Don't criminate yourself" said the grocery drummer, as he pointed q long, bony finger at the old kicker ''Remember you are not on oath, and you don't have to confess. The proper way is for you to give your self up, and let the officers go to your house and find your wife's body, and have coroner's inquest held. If no one was present when the tragedy was committed, all the evidence there is against you is when you give your self away. Now keep your mouth shut, and it may be the court will de- eide that it was a case of suicide. Of course your looks are against you, and your previous character, which is bad, will be brought up against you, but if you throw yourself on the mercy of the court, you may get off with inn prisonment for life. As an attorney I advise you not to talk" and the grocery drummer heaved sigh
 "What in the world you fellows talking about?" said the old kicker, in a passion. "My wife was nagging me about this fog, when could stand it no longer, and to choke her"
 "lIe says he choked her to death," said the newspaper reporter to the de- tective, as that official came in look ing fierce, but with smile around his eyes.
 70, repent, old man, before it is cverlastingly too late. While the lamp holds out to burn, the vilest sin ner may return. Your terrible tenn per has got you in this scrape, and you have killed the best friend you ever had. Put your trust above, and though your sins may be blacker than ink, they may be made as white as snow, if you only repent and confess, and ask forgiveness. o, you wicked. wicked man," and the reporter got up to let the detective sit down beside the old kicker
 "Well, I'll be-" said the kicker, as he turned pale, and looked at the de- tective.
 "No doubt of that" said the drum mer. "Iawkshaw, this old man has been cenfessing to us that he killed his wife this morning, and you better take charge of him."
 ''It's condemn lie," said the old man. "I only ehoked her"
 ''That is enough" said the detec- tive. "You do not need to tell how the deed was accomplished. That is matter for the jury to decide. And would advise you not to say any thing in public, as it will come out in the evidence. suppose you are on your way to give yourself up, and, for fear you might go right on by the police station, and take train out of town. l will accompany you to the chief and you can make your state- ment to him. We frequently have such cases, and my experience is that the less man says after he has con- nitted crime, the better for him, Of course, as detective, it Is my place to pump you, and get all the in- formation l can, but l won't do it until we leave the car"
 "I tell you she aint dead," said the old kicker, making desperate effort to be heard, and jabbing his cane on the foot of a dress maker who sat next to him, and who yelled that she was stabbed. sIf you will let me talk a minute I can explain it all. You see, as said before, my wife was complaining about the fog, and thought I would choke her of, so I said, My dear, you have been want ing to go to Europe, for years, and have said you would like to spend a season in London, and have prom